NRA Show will be at Chicago's McCormick Place through 2021

Oct. 2, 2012

The National Restaurant Association announced this week that its annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event will remain in Chicago through 2021. After a thorough review of options, the NRA signed a new five-year agreement with the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) and Choose Chicago to keep the trade show at McCormick Place.

"The restaurant industry is a large, dynamic, creative and generous collection of businesses that serve every community in this nation. Therefore, it's important to us that we hold our industry's premier trade show in a location that embodies so many of our industry's unique qualities and values," said Dawn Sweeney, NRA president and CEO. "Chicago is a world-class travel destination that provides outstanding business facilities, coupled with world-renowned restaurants, vibrant culture and dynamic entertainment."

The show has recently generated more than 60,000 attendees and exhibitors from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Last year's show featured a 12.4 percent increase in exhibit space compared to 2010.

"As a result of the hard work of the Mayor (Rahm Emmanuel) and his team, and other leaders in Chicago and across the state, the National Restaurant Association is pleased to know that we'll continue to call Chicago home -- adding to the 63 consecutive years that our trade show has already been held here," Sweeney added. "The continuation of this amazing history will bring more than $600 million – well in excess of one half of a billion dollars - to Chicago between 2017 and 2021."